BOSTON -- A Lowell man pleaded guilty to assaulting a man because of his sexual orientation, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone's office said Monday.

Jonathan Artis, 20, pleaded guilty to charges of assault and battery for purpose of intimidation due to sexual orientation and civil rights violation. He was sentenced to two years probation with conditions that he attend a diversity awareness program and complete 50 hours of community service.

Jules Ruggs, 20, and Jeffrey Buchannan, 20, the other two defendants charged in connection with the incident, are both scheduled for trial beginning Tuesday in Lowell Superior Court.

Ruggs and Buchannan are charged with violation of constitutional rights with bodily injury, assault and battery for purpose of intimidation due to sexual orientation causing bodily injury, and assault and battery.

According to authorities, the victim was walking by himself to his home from a nightclub in downtown Lowell at approximately 3 a.m. on June 2. After he crossed the Bridge Street Bridge and proceeded to cross Lakeview Avenue, he heard someone from behind him yell an epithet regarding his sexual orientation, Leone's office said.

The victim became nervous and walked toward the Centraville police precinct. A short distance from the precinct, it is alleged that he was hit in the head from behind and continued to beat him, Leone's office said. As they were assaulting him, they allegedly repeatedly yelled slurs at him and said, "we don’t like your kind in our neighborhood," Leone's office said.

After the alleged assault, the victim walked to the precinct, and a Lowell police officer observed a large laceration to the victim's lip, Leone's office said. The victim also suffered strained muscles to his back.